• Finito
  This is a good one to start with because it shows that games don't have to be long and tedious to offer good decisionmaking. It doesn't even require a long explanation. You can pretty much just start playing and explain as you go along. In this one players have a board of numbers. One player rolls a die and players choose to place one of their numbered tokens on one of the corresponding numbered spaces. The difference is that each player has a different set of numbers to choose from. The first to get them all in order wins, which generally takes twenty minutes or less. Supports up to four per copy of the game.
• Cities
  Each player has the same set of tiles and builds a city as they think best, trying to be the one to achieve the layout that scores the most points. The goals are quite simple, but how to achieve them can involve quite a study of probabilities if the player wishes. The rules are simple, but the decisions interesting and as players operate simultaneously there is little waiting. This can be the one that demonstrates that production values are now much better than in the games we played as children. The largish tiles are well-made, attractively illustrated and each set individualized to show a different city. Usually lasts no more than twenty minutes and supports up to four per copy of the game.
• Coloretto
  Again, this is a card game that is easy to jump right into without long explanation. A player either reveals a card or takes a truck containing up to three chameleons. At the end the three largest groups of chameleons will score positively as shown on the player aide card and all the rest will score negatively. That said, this is an introduction to the almost maddening and yet delicious dilemmas often presented in modern gaming.
• Hick Hack in Gackelwack
  Here's a game with non-threatening theme and artwork, a simple explanation, and fast play. Yet it can often feel surprisingly like the stock market. Each player simultaneously chooses a card to claim the corn in the corresponding area. If more than one arrive there, they have a quick negotiation, wise players usually choosing to be fair. But beware someone playing a fox that eats all of the cards of all of the others. If you have a large group it supports six players right out of the box. If you have more than six, check out the Top Ten for Seven or More Beginners list.
• No Thanks
  Pushing your luck is another good feature of the modern games and is prominent in this card game. Formerly Can't Stop might have been here and can still work, but can go a bit long with more than two. This supports five in a much smaller package. Be sure that players do not let anyone else see how many chips they have.
• 10 Days in Europe
  This is just the original in a whole series of games about creating a ten-day tour through a continent and any one of them can be used. Europe makes for a nice map, but tailor it to your audience. If your players have a special interest in Africa, Asia or South America go for that edition. The game is basically drafting and noticing what others have drafted, but forms a nice challenge of making order from chaos. Reassure new players that what may appear impossible to place in order is completely doable.
• Carcassonne
  Besides the fact that the tiles and pawns are very nice in look and construction, the players join together in building something which is a nice metaphor. The facts that the player has only one tile to play at a time and that it is public and that players tend to work on their own projects makes it easy for a player to give objective advice if necessary.
• Tichu
  Players already familiar with card games like Hearts or The Great Dalmuti may like to try this one which exhibits partnership in games. This game of getting rid of your cards has more of a learning curve than the others in the list, but for many is also eventually more rewarding as players learn its tricks and techniques.
• Rosenkönig
  At a certain point it's fun to try some games with a bit more direct confrontation. But not too much. Time was when Settlers of Catan would have made this list, but by now, the road cutoffs and robber baron might be too much for some players. Let it continue, but in the top twenty rather than the top ten. On the other hand there's no real war here, of course, but players more directly manipulate the game to disrupt one another here. But it's limited by one's cards so it's not too combative. But more importantly this is another one to demonstrate the fun of partnership, and not just in a card game, but in a board game.
• Hanabi
  Sometimes you have players who really just don't want any competition at all. While this site does not normally recommend cooperative games, this one fills the bill for a game in which all players either win or lose together. It is simple enough to explain, does not require too much time or space, supports up to five and comes in a small package.

• Tsuro
  What works well is that it starts out very simply, an empty board which players take turns building as they go. The number of choices isn't huge as players only hold a few tiles. The movement of their pieces on the board is fairly automatic so others can help. Yet there is still meaningful decisionmaking as players need to decide how to hold back a flexible variety of tiles. Supports up to 8. [shop]
  
• Take it Easy
  This is a tile placement game in which each player has a board. Trying to place each tile for maximum value as they come out in random order is a challenging exercise. How much should one gamble or play it safe? There's a bit of arithmetic, but this can be overcome by simply trying to make a aesthetically pleasing pattern. Some editions such as Take It Easy XXL support up to 8. Or two copies can be combined together. [shop]
  

Most of us grew up playing cards so players tend to feel quite comfortable with them: "it's just a card game". Yet this gives them the possibility of moving quickly and offering plenty of decisionmaking.

• Franks Zoo
  This excellent card game is of the climbing variety, in which animals only defeat certain other animals. The decisionmaking is primarily around when it's wise to play and when to hold back. There is also a teamwork aspect. Features delightful animal cartoons and supports up to 7. [shop]
  
• Who's the Ass
  This is another climbing game with similar qualities. The use of more ordinary numbered cards and the fact that a trick always has a finite size may make it more accessible for some. Supports up to 12. [shop]
• Bohnanza
  This is a game of trading cute bean characters which is simple to play, but for those who want to pay close attention to the numbers has a lot of numbers to figure out. Supports up to 7. [shop]

Some games which don't support more than four nevertheless feature a system which is easily extensible to more players. The solution in this case is just to buy a second copy. Or maybe two different players could buy sets. The good thing about this is that you don't have to stop at eight. Buy another set and you can support twelve, a fourth gets you sixteen, and on and on until you need a bigger house.

• Cities
  Similar to Take It Easy (above) each player has the same set of tiles and builds a city as they think best, trying to be the one to achieve the layout that scores the most points. The goals are quite simple, but how to achieve them can involve quite a study of probabilities if the player wishes. Supports up to 4 per copy of the game.
• Finito
  In this one players have a board of numbers. One player rolls a die and players choose to place one of their numbered tokens on one of the corresponding numbered spaces. The difference is that each player has a different set of numbers to choose from. The first to get them all in order wins, which generally only takes twenty minutes or so. Supports up to 4 per copy of the game.

Some games that are rated for only five or six players are extendable in another way, just add a player or two. These systems work so well that the addition doesn't really hurt them.

• Pick Picknic
  It's a game of foxes and chickens, each player choosing simultaneously which type of card to play. Chickens claim amounts of corn that vary depending on which area they go to, but nothing at all if a fox catches them. Sounds like a kids game, but you could also look at it like a stock market situation where you choose the level of risk you will accept. Plus, when multiple players choose the same location, they have a chance to negotiate the division of spoils. Supports up to 6, but can go to 7. [shop]
  
• Circus Flohcati
  This is a push-your-luck game on the unlikely topic of flea circuses, but really it's all about collecting a set of cards, one per suit of the same suits. A turn is sublimely simple, just turn over cards until you decide to take one or until you match the suit of one you've already revealed, in which case you get nothing. Supports up to 5, but can go to 6 or 7. [shop]
  

Sometimes it can be fun to stray into the party game neighborhood, especially if most of the players don't know each other well. A few such games also have at least some strategy component, however. One such is ...

• Attribute
  One player comes up with a phrase. Then every player puts down two cards, one containing a word, the other telling whether the word is supposed to be similar or not similar to the word. The words are revealed and the players race to claim cards that they think are similar, while avoiding those that are not. Points are given both for being a good claimer and for being a good identifier. Supports up to 8. [shop] Supports up to 8.

Top Ten Party Games:

1. Balderdash/Beyond Balderdash [amazon.com]
2. Barbarossa [amazon.com]
3. Ostrakon [amazon.com]
4. Buzzword [amazon.com]
5. Attribute [amazon.com]
6. Wits and Wagers [amazon.com]
7. Boggle/Big Boggle/Boggle Deluxe [amazon.com]
8. Hart an der Grenze
9. Wise and Otherwise [amazon.com]
10. Pictionary [amazon.com]

Top ten trick-taking games:

• Mü
  Where we are: in a fantastic world of lovely panthers, unicorns, hedgehogs and such.
  What makes it good: This list is in no particular order, but if it were this one has a good claim to being on top just because it's so ambitious. Not only did Doris&Frank invent a fascinatingly new type of deck – including the new idea of printing points on various types of cards – they hitched it to an all new and decidedly machiavellian bidding system which never grows old. Probably the only real drawback are the players themselves who too often fail to keep chiefs honest by not bidding them up enough. Probably the most challenging choice for five.
• Sticheln
  Where we are: in a humid land where one is likely to be stuck
  What makes it good: This one should come with a sub-title: the "anti-trump game", or maybe the "all-trump game", as everything but the led suit is a trump. It could also be called "pure evil" or "royal disaster" as either can transpire at a moment's notice. There's no predicting what opponents will do here. Just when you think you've made an ace play, they come out and stick you with the worst possible card. But by the same token, just when you think you're totally exposed, they may spare you in favor of their own selfish goals. The game can be as much about knowing the players as knowing the cards, a rare quality in this type of game. This is the only one that can comfortably handle four to eight (!) players
• The Bottle Imp
  Where we are: in a Hawaiian fantasy of Robert Louis Stevenson
  What makes it good: The first of four very good games for exactly three players, it is also playable by four. Here the ever-changing definition of what is trump along with the additional task of not taking the last trump really provides a unique challenge. The fact that all this fits perfectly with the Stevenson story is a wonderful icing on the cake.
• Schnäppchen Jagd
  Where we are: at the thrift shop and garage sale
  What makes it good: The second good game for three that also works for four is all about changing trends and goals. Ostensibly one is collecting items of only one type,b ut to get these items it's necessary to take on other ones, so that at a certain point one is in the business of collecting several other ranks as well. Which ones should be pursued and which avoided? It's a situation of having to make hard and fast rules in a fluid situation. Simjilar is the meta-game of general acquisitiveness. Are the opponents trying to collect a lot or trying to keep their collections pure? Once detected, it's probably wise to do the opposite, at which point they may switch and you'll have to evaluate whether it's too late to swtich again. As it's another great thematic match as well, the only problem is that at this moment this one remains mysteriously out of print.

  [To be continued]

Top ten games to try on the lovely person you've just started dating:

• Kupferkessel Co.
  Where we are: in alchemy school, learning to mix ingredients in our copper pots
  What makes it good: This is very simple, yet amazingly still an interesting challenge for the seasoned player. A common cry heard from those new to games is "Ooh, games are too complicated." Well, with this one you can point out that it is meant to be played by ages as low as 6. The colors and weird images are quite a visual treat as well. Says something about the quality of German production too – even the insert is illustrated. »review
• Lost Cities
  Where we are: exploring the world of the early 20^th century
  What makes it good: The dilemma of which card to play gives just the right degree of challenge. Extra large illustrated cards convey the theme nicely and it's certainly possible for either side to win, regardless of experience level. Only the scoring can be a little hard to explain. »review
• Can't Stop
  Where we are: climbing the Himalaya or just topping the chart
  What makes it good: While the first two are not boring, they don't quite offer the same level of sheer excitement that this dice game can provide. Pressing your luck is a phenomenon with which most can identify. »review
• Café International
  Where we are: at a swanky, cosmopolitan restaurant
  What makes it good: But if the last is too exciting, this is more on the funny side with colorful characters. Players have a job that isn't alchemy or exploring or mountain climbing, but here are in a comfortable environment with which most can identify. There are tactical moments, but for the most part they are not too demanding. »review
• Rat Hot
  Where we are: staying with the food theme, in the store house of two spice dealers
  What makes it good: This is a stacking game which isn't overly demanding, but which offers considerable scope for ingenuity. Many people have played Dominoes at some point in their life and while this one -- featuring stacking – is rather different, it has enough of the flavor to be easily grasped. The threat of too many rats appearing offers a fun degree of pressure. »review
• Carcassonne
  Where we are: building towns in medieval France
  What makes it good: Besides the fact that the tiles and pawns are very nice in look and construction, the players join together in building something which is a nice metaphor. The facts that the player has only one tile to play at a time and that it is public and that players tend to work on their own projects makes it easy for a player to give objective advice if necessary. »review
• Expedition
  Where we are: leading scientific expeditions around the world
  What makes it good: Sometimes it's fun to go back to the childhood idea of a large, colorful board and this is just the ticket. It shows that even a larger-sized game can be simple and yet fun without being long or complicated. »review
• Rosenkönig
  Where we are: the English Wars of the Roses
  What makes it good: At a certain point it's fun to try some games with a bit more direct confrontation. There's no real war here, of course, but players more directly manipulate the game to disrupt one another here. But it's limited by one's cards so it's not too combative. »review
• Schotten-Totten
  Where we are: in the Scottish highlands after a storm
  What makes it good: This is another direct confrontation and it builds on Poker, which most have played. It has more strategy than most of those on the list. The possible sudden death ending gives an extra level of excitement. »review
• Tally Ho!
  Where we are: into the woods
  What makes it good: It's often not a fair game, but the puzzles along the way and the ongoing puzzle of the entire game can be fascinating. The asymmetry adds an extra dimension of interest and there's a very palpable feeling of danger once those bears start in motion. It's easy for either side to win here as well. »review